Air flow for garment or ironing presses



June 26, 1934. E. DAVIS l,964;037

AIR FLOW FOR GARMENT OR IRONING FRESSES Original Filed May 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1". 11 l i i H e 15 7X f 1 Mg 57ml [B J v ,Iil. 67 LYI'EYTOR.

w\ n2. M 5 m 1 TTORNEYS eFe 26, 1934. E. DAVIS AIR FLOW FOR GARMENT OR IRONING PRESSES Original Filed May 28, 1930 QNN INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 26, 1934 PATENT ornca AIR FLGW FOR GARMENT OR IRONING PRESSES Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to The Prosperity Company 1110., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 28, 1930, Serial No. 456,659 Renewed January 27, 1933 19 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines such as garment or laundry presses and has for its object the provision of a pressing machine in which air flow to one of the pressing elements or jaws is inaugurated automatically when the machine comes under final high pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pressing machine in which air flow to one. of the pressing elements or jaws is inaugurated automatically when the machine comes under final high pressure, but which has manually operated means by which air flow to one of the pressing elements may be controlled at any time regardless of the position of the various operating parts of the, machine. Other objects and advantages will be described and will-become apparent as the description proceeds.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a pressing machine with my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a portion of the front of the pressing machine shown in Figure 1 illustrating the relation of the various manual controls.

' Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view, mostly in section, showing the press operating motors and the control valves for supplying working fluid to these motors, also the valve controlling the air flow to one of the pressing elements, the operating means therefor, and the relation of the various operating and control members of the machine.

The invention is shown as applied to a pressing machine of the conventional garment or ironing press type in which a buck 1 is mounted on a supporting neck 2 rising from the pressing machine frame 3. A pressing head or jaw 4 is suitably mounted on a yoke member 5 pivoted at 6 to a motor 12 causes the press to be closed under initial light or zero pressure.

The actuating link 10 is pivotally connected at 16 to a bell crank lever 17 which is pivotally connected to the frame at 18.

A fluid or high power motor 19 is pivotally connected to the frame for oscillating movement about the point 20. The piston rod 21 of the fluid motor 19 is pivotally connected at 22 with the forward end of the bell crank lever 17. The actuating lever 10 and bell crank lever 17 form a toggle, and the fluid motor 19 is operated to shut the pressing machine under final high pressure.

Suitable means such as a spring 25 attached to the forwardly extending arm of the bell crank lever 17 at one end and the frame 3 at the other end, may be provided to cause the press to open when pressure in the fluid motors is released.

Suitable means are provided for causing a flow of air through one of the pressing elements. As here shown, a blower 30, driven from a suitable power source not shown, supplies air through a pipe 31, to the lower pressing element or buck. The manner in which and the means by which such air is blown through a pressing element is well-known in the art, and since it forms no part per se of the present invention, will not be here described.

Figure 3 shows my invention applied to a machine of the four button control type as large laundry presses which are operated by two operators.

Two push buttons 35 and 36 control the closing of the press u'nder initial or light pressure. The push buttons 37 and 38 control the operation of the high power fluid motor 19 for applying high pressure to the machine but are inoperative, as will be later explained, unless the low pressure push buttons 35, 36 have been previously operated.

The push button 35 operates the valve mechanism in the valve casing 40. This casing contains a normally closed intake valve 41 and a normally open exhaust valve 42 which are connected together by a stem 43. Suitable spring means such as a compression spring 44 are provided for holding the valves in their normal position. A stem 45 of the exhaust valve 42, projects through the valve casing 40 and is operated by the rocker arm 46. The rocker arm 46 may be operated by the bell crank 4'7 which is moved by the push button 35. The rocker arm 46 may also be oper. ated by the plunger 48 which extends through the side of the diaphragm chamber 49 and is operated by pressure behind the diaphragm 50. All

of the above described valve construction is of the conventional type for use with pressing machines.

The push button 36 operates the valve mechanism in the valve casing 51. This valve casing contains no intake valve but only an exhaust valve 42. The operation of this exhaust valve from the push button 36 or from the diaphragm chamber is similar to that described in connection with the push button 35.

The valve mechanism in the valve casings 40 and 51 form control means which are operable to control the application of power to the low power motor 12. The diaphragm 50 and the diaphragm associated with the valve casing 51 are holding means for holding the low power motor control means or valves in operated position or the position assumed upon depression of the buttons 35 and 36.

The push button 37 operates the valves in valve casing 53. These valves consist of an intake valve and exhaust valve identical with those in the valve casing 40, but the valve casing 53 is not provided with any diaphragm chamber and the valves are operated directly from the bell crank 47 since no rocker arm is necessary.

The push button 38 operates an exhaust valve 54 in the valve casing 55. The valve casing 55 also contains a check valve 56 normally held closed by suitable spring means as a compression spring 57.

The check valve 56 keeps the fluid pressure pocketed in pipe 118 and the diaphragm chamber in the valve casing 69 and thereby retains 1 the power actuated control means 69 in operated position.

A valve casing 62 contains a normally closed intake valve 41, a normally open exhaust valve 42 joined by a suitable stem 43 similar to the valves in valve casing 40. The operation of the valves in this valve casing 62 is manually controlled by a handle 63 at one end of the rocker arm 46. These valves are of the self locking type, a conduit 65 being provided to supply air as soon as the intake valve opens, behind the diaphragm in the diaphragm chamber, and thus lock the valves in operated position. The valve is returned to normal position by pulling up on the handle 63 and compressing the air behind the diaphragm sufficiently to depress the plunger 48 and allow the spring 44 to close the intake valve 41 and open the exhaust valve 42. The air then escapes from behind the diaphragm through the exhaust valve port.

A valve casing 67 contains valve mechanism similar to that described in connection with the valve casing 40 with the addition of a check valve 68 in the conduit leading from the valve casing. The rocker arm 46 is operated from the diaphragm chamber, no manual operating means being provided for the valves in this valve casing 67. The valve mechanism in the valve casing 67 with the diaphragm for actuating the same are means which are actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor 12 and connect the operator actuated control means 53 and 55 with a source of power or the pipe 100. This valve mechanism is operated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor 12 through the port-110 in the cylinder wall of the low power motor 12 being uncovered by the piston therein, thereby permitting the fluid pressure in the motor to fiow through a pipe 111 to the diaphragm in ,the valve casing 67 and actuate the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Valve casings 69 and 70 contain valve mechanism similar to that described in connection with valve casing 40. The operation of the valve mechanism is through the diaphragm chamber, no manual operating means being provided. The valve mechanism in the valve casing 69 is power actuated control means which control the application of power to the high power motor 19. The power actuated control means 69 are in turn controlled by the operator actuated control means in the valve casings 53 and 55 which are operator actuated by the push buttons 37 and 38, as described hereinbefore.

The valve mechanism in the valve casing 70 is operated from the diaphragm associated therewith. This diaphragm is connected with a port 125 in the cylinder wall of the high power motor 19 so that when the piston therein uncovers the port upon a predetermined extent of movement thereof, the valve mechanism is operated. The extent of movement of the high power motor, or particularly its piston, is predetermined by the predetermined location of the port 125. Actuation of the diaphragm in valve casing 70 opens the exhaust valve therein so that the diaphragm chambers in the valve casings 40, 51 and 67 are exhausted and the diaphragm holding means therein are released. The valves in these casings therefore return to their normal or inoperative position.

Exhaust valves are provided in valve casings 71, 72 and 73, the purpose of these valves will be later described. The operation of the valves in these casings is identical and will be readily understood by reference to the valve casing 71 in which an exhaust valve 75 is normally held in closed position by suitable means such as a compression spring 76. A valve stem '77 projects through the side of the valve casing and is moved by a handle '78 to open the exhaust valve. The valve stem 77 is of smaller diameter than the opening through which it projects, the opening thereby serving as a suitable exhaust port. The exhaust valves in the valve casings 71 and 73 are means which are operable to release the power actuated control means 69 and thereby open the press.

The flow of air from the blower 30 to a pressing element of the machine is controlled by a suitable valve 80 placed in the pipe 31. The valve 80 is shown as mounted on an arm 81 secured to a gear or quadrant 82 which meshes with a rack 83 on an operating plunger 84. The operating plunger 84 is normally held in position to close the valve 80, by a spring 85. The operating plunger 84 is raised to open the valve 80, by a plunger 86 which is in turn operated by either of the diaphragms 87, 88 in the diaphragm chamber 89. The purpose of this double diaphragm construction will be readily understood from the description of the operation of the machine as hereinafter set out.

The valves and control devices are connected by pipes as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing and as will be fully pointed out in connection with the following description of the operation of the machine.

The operation of the machine is as follows:-

Working fluid, such as air, is supplied from a suitable source through the supply pipe 100 to the valve casing 69. A branch 101 of the supply pipe 100 supplies air to the valve casings 40 and 62. A second branch 102 supplies air to the valve casing 6'7. With the valves in their normal positions as shown in Figure 3, the intake valves in the valve casings 69, 40, 62 and 67 will all be closed. It will therefore be impossible for air to escape from the pipe 100, or the branches 101 and 102.

If the push button 35 is depressed, the valves in valve casing 40 will be operated to permit air to flow from the pipe 101 through the valve casing into the pipe 105. The branch pipe 106 supplies air from the pipe 105 to the cylinder of the fluid motor 12. It is impossible however, to build up sufiicient pressure in the pipe 105 and branch pipe 106 to operate the motor, so long as the exhaust valve 42 in valve casing 51 is open. To supply air to operate the fluid motor 12 it is necessary therefore, that both push buttons 35 and 36 be depressed at the same time. This is in accordance with the safety principal of two hand control which requires that the operator use both hands to close the press.

When both push buttons 35 and 36 are depressed, air from the supply line 100 flows through the branch pipe 101, valve casing 40, pipe 105, and branch pipe 106 to operate the piston of the fluid motor 12 to close the press under initial light pressure.

When the piston of the fluid motor 12 has completed a portion of its stroke, it uncovers a port 110 in the side of the cylinder which permits air to enter through this port 110 into the pipe 111. The pipe 111 through its various branches, supplies air to the valve casings '70 and '72, and to the diaphragm chambers of the valve casings 40, 67 and 51. This supply of air to the diaphragm chambers of the valve casings 40 and 51 looks the valves in these valve casings in their operated positions in the manner previously explained. By virtue of the fact that these valves are locked in position, the press will remain closed if the operator takes his hands ofi the push buttons. 35 and 36.

The supply of air to the diaphragm chamber of the valve casing 6'7 will operate the valves in this 'valve casing to permit air to flow from the pipe 102 through the valve casing into the pipe 115 which connects at its other end to the valve casing 53. Flow of air through the pipe 115 will be normally prevented by the closed intake valve in the valve casing 53.

At the stage of the operation thus far described, the intake valve in valve casing '70 and the exhaust valve in the valve casing '72 will be closed thus preventing the flpw of air through the branches of the pipe 111 which lead to these valve casings '70 and '72.-

From the description of the operation of the machine thus far, it will be apparent that depression of the push buttons 37 and 38 can have no effect on the operation of the press until after the piston in the fluid motor 12 has uncovered the port 110 and permitted air to flow through the pipe 111 to operate the valves in valve casing 67 and thus connect the valve casing 53 with the air supply pipe 100. Since the piston in fluid motor 12 will not uncover the port 110 until the press is practically closed under initial or light pressure, the push buttons 3'7, 38 can not be used to operate the fluid motor 19 for applying heavy pressure until after the press has been closed under initial or light pressure.

If, after the press is closed under initial or light pressure, the push button 3'7 only is depressed, air will flow from the pipe 115 through the valve casing 53 and pipe 117 to the valve casing 55 where it will exhaust into the atmosphere due to the fact that exhaust valve 54 is open.

If, after the press is closed under initial or of the press since the intake valve in valve casing 6'7 will be closed and the air supply from the pipe 115 to the pipe 117 cut oil.

In order to operate the fluid motor 19 to apply final heavy pressure, it is necessary that both the push buttons 37 and 38 be depressed at the same time. This is in accordance with the safety principal of two hand control. With large presses it is common practice to employ two operators and with the press using the operating mechanism shown in Figure 3, one operator will have his hands on the push buttons 35 and 36 while the second operator has his hands on the push buttons 3'7 and 38 thus making it impossible for either operator to close the press under heavy pressure while the other operator has one of his hands between the pressing elements. One operator may operate .the press by closing it under initial pressure with buttons 35 and 36, and thenapplying heavy pressure with buttons 37 and 38.

When the push buttons 37 and 38 are both depressed, air will flow from the pipe 115, through the valve casing 53, pipe 117, valve casing 55, into the pipe 118, which through its various branches supplies air to the valve casings '71 and '73, and to the diaphragm chamber of the valve casing 69. The normally closed exhaust valves in the valve casings 71 and '73 will prevent the flow of air through the branch pipes leading to these valve casings. A supply of air to the diaphragm chamber of the valve casing 69 will operate the valves in this valve casing to permit air to flow from the supply pipe 100 through the valve casing 69, pipe 120, to the cylinder of the fluid motor 19 to operate the piston of the fluid motor and thus close the press under final or heavy pressure.

When the piston in fluid motor 19 has completed a portion of its stroke, it uncovers a port 125 in the side of the cylinder and permits air to flow through this port 125 into a pipe 126 which supplies air to the diaphragm chamber of the valve casing '70 and to the diaphragm chamber 89. This supply of air to the diaphragm casing of the valve chamber '70 operates the valves in this valve casing to open the intake valve 41 and allow air in the pipe 111 and its various branches to escape through the valve casing '70 and out through the exhaust pipe 128 into the atmosphere. Pressure behind the diaphragms in the diaphragm chamber of the valve casings 40, 6'7 and 51 is thus relieved and the valves in these valve chambers will return to their normal position. The air above the piston of the fluid motor 12 is then free to escape through the pipes 106, 105 and exhaust ports of the valve casings 40 and 51. From the operation above described, it is apparent that after the cylinder of the fluid motor 19 uncovers the port 125, the valves associated with the fluid motor 12 are actuated so as to cause this fluid motor 12 to become inoperative.

The supply of air through the pipe 126 to the diaphragm chamber 89 will operate the diaphragm 87 to raise the plunger 86 and through the connecting mechanism previously described, open the valve 80 to permit air to flow through the pipe 31 to one of the pressing elements. Thus, the operation of the valve 80 to control the flow of air to the pressing element is entirely automatic when the piston of the fluid motor 19 reaches a position in its stroke where it uncovers the port 125.

To relieve the pressure in the cylinder of the fluid motor 19 and thus permit the press to open, it is necessary for the operator to manipulate the handle '78 to open the exhaust valve 75 in the valve casing '71. When this exhaust valve '75 is opened, pressure behind the diaphragm in the d.-aphragm chamber of the valve casing 69 is relieved and the spring 44 will return the valve in the valve casing 69 to normal position with the exhaust valve 42 open. Air will then exhaust from the flud motor 19 through the pipe 120 and exhaust port of the exhaust valve 42.

If the operators operate other machines and 1' t is desirable to use tandem control, the press may be opened by operating the exhaust valve in the valve chamber '73 which will be located on the other machine. The operation of this exhaust valve is identical however with the exhaust valve in valve casing 71.

If it should become desirable at any tme to relieve the pressure in the fluid motor 12 before the piston of the fluid motor 19 has uncovered the port 125 and actuated the valves in valve casing '70 to automatically relieve the pressure in the fluid motor 12, this result may be accomplished by manipulating the handle '78 to open the exhaust valve in the valve casing 72. When the exhaust valve in this valve casing 72 is opened, pressure in the various branches of the pipe 111 is relieved thus removing the pressure from the diaphragms in the diaphragm chambers of the valve casings 40, 67 and 51 and permitting the valves in these valve chambers to return to normal position.

It w.ll sometimes be desirable to open the valve and permit air flow to the pressing element at times when the press is not closed under final heavy pressure. For this purpose, auxiliary means are provided for operatng the valve 80 independently of the automatic actuation from the fluid motor 19. A diaphragm 88 in the diaphragm chamber 89 may be operated by a supply of air through the pipe 130 to open the valve 80 in a manner similar to the automatic operation already described. v

The handle 63 may be depressed to close the exhaust valve 42 and open the intake valve 41 in the valve chamber 62. Air may then flow from the supply pipe 100, through the branch 101, valve chamber 62, and pipe 130, into the diaphragm chamber 89 to apply pressure to raise the diaphragm 88. The diaphragm 88 will contact with the diaphragm 87 and raise it with the same effect as if air were supplied under the diaphragm 8'7 from the pipe 126.

The valves in valve casing 62 are of the self locking type as previously described, and the handle 63 may therefore be left in operated position to maintain the valve 80 in open position to permit any desired amount of air to flow through the pipe 31 to the pressng element.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a pressing machine embodying all the safety features of two hand control on a press of the two operator type. I have further provided automatic means for causing a flow of air to one of the pressing elements whenever the operating mechanism of the press reaches a predetermined positon. I have further provided auxiliary operating means by wh ch the flow of air to the pressing element may be caused at any time independently of the position of the press operating means.

While I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, in combinaton, cooperative pressing elements one of whch is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means; air current creating means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; and means controlled automatically from the motor means for controlling the air current.

2. In a pressing machine, in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means; air current creating means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; a conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said conduit for controlling the air current; manually operated control means for said valve; and other control means for said valve operated automatically by pressure from the motor means.

3. In a pressing mach ne, in combination, cooperat ve pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means; air current creating means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; a conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said conduit normally in position to prevent the flow of air through the conduit; control means associated with the motor means and operated automatically, when the motor means reaches a certain position, to open said valve so that a current of air will flow through the pressing element.

4. In a pressing machine, in combination, c0- operative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; a fluid motor for operating the actuating means; air current creating means; a conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; a valve in the conduit for controlling the flow of air therein; fluid actuated control means for said valve; and means connected to the motor for supplying fluid to the valve control means when the motor reaches a predetermined position.

5. In a pressing machine, in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; a motor, including a cylinder and piston for operating the actuating means; air current creating means; an

air conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said air conduit for controlling the air current; fluid actuated control means for said valve; and a fluid conduit from the cylinder of the motor to the valve control means for supplying fluid to said valve control means when the motor piston uncovers the inlet of the fluid conduit.

6. In a pressing machine, in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; a motor, including a cylinder and piston for operating the actuating means; air current creating means; an air conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said air conduit for controlling the air current; control means for said valve; dual operating mechanism for the valve control means operable from the cylinder of the motor when the piston reaches a predetermined position and from a manual control device.

'7. In a pressing machine, in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable With respect to the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means to close the press under initial light pressure; a second motor means for operating the actuating means to apply final heavy pressure to the pressing elements; manual control means for the second motor means normally inoperative to control said second motor means; means associated with the first motor means for rendering the manual control means operative to control the second motor means; and means associated with the second motor means for causing a current of air to pass through one of the pressing elements.

8. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means; air current creating means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; valve means normally preventing the flow of air to the pressing elements; and means controlled automatically from the motor means for controlling the valve means.

9. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; motor means for operating the actuating means, air current creating means for causing air to flow through one of the pressing elements; a conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said conduit normally in position to prevent the flow of air to the pressing element; manually operated control means for said valve; and other control means for said valve operated automatically by pressure from v the motor means.

10. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which'is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; a fluid motor for operating the actuating means; air current creating means; a conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; a valve in the conduit normally in position to prevent the flow of air to the pressing element; fluid actuated control means for said valve; and

means connected to the motor for supplying fluidto the valve control means when the motor reaches a predetermined position.

11. In a pressing machine in combination, cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable toward and from the other; actuating means for the movable pressing element; a motor, including a cylinder and piston for operating the actuating means; air current creating means, an air conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said air conduit normally in position to prevent the flow of air to the pressing element; fluid actuated control means for said valve; and a fluid conduit from the cylinder of the motor to the valve control means for supplying fluid to said including a cylinder and piston for operating the actuating means; air current creating means; an air conduit from said air current creating means to one of the pressing elements; valve means in said air conduit normally in position to prevent the flow of air to the pressing element; control means for said valve; 'dual operating mechanism for the valve control means operable from the cylinder of the motor when the piston reaches a predetermined position and from a manual control device.

13. A garment or ironing press comprising a low power motor, a high power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the low power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the high power motor, and means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the high power motor control means to a source of power.

14. A garment or ironing press comprising a low power motor, a high power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the low power motor, power actuated control means controlling the application of power to the high power motor, operator actuated control means controlling the operation of the power actuated control means, and means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the operator actuated control means to a source of power.

15. A garment or ironing press comprising a pressing jaw, a low power motor, a high power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the low power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the high power motor, means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the high power motor control means to a source of power, a conduit connected with the pressing jaw adapted to be connected with a fluid current creating means, and means controlled automatically from one of the motors for controlling the fluid current through the conduit.

16. A garment or ironing press comprising a pressing jaw, a low power motor, a high power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the low power motor, control means controlling the application of power to the high power motor, means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the high power motor control means to a source of power, a conduit connected with the pressing jaw and adapted to be connected with a fluid current creating means, and means automatically controlled from the high power controlling the operation of the power actuated control means, means actuated upon a predetercontrolling the application of power to the high power motor, operator actuated control means controlling the operation of the power actuated control means, means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the operator actuated control means to a source of power, a conduit connected with the pressing jaw and adapted to be connected with a fluid current creating means, and means automatically controlled from the high power motor to release the holding means and to control the fluid current through the conduit.

19. A garment or ironing press comprising a low power motor, a high power motor, control means operable to control the application of power to the low power motor, means holding the low power motor control means in operated position, power actuated control means controlling the application of power to the high power motor, operator actuated control means controlling the operation of the power actuated control means, means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the low power motor to connect the operator actuated motor control means to a source of power, means actuated upon a predetermined extent of movement of the high power motor to release the holding means, means retaining the power actuated control means in operated position, and means to release the power actuated control means to open the press.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

